~Something was afoot in La Push~

CHAPTER IV - STRANGE INDEED

April 2007

THE BEGINNING OF APRIL brought a wave of melancholy over La Push. Sam Uley had officially been missing for two weeks without any word or sign of life from the man.

Leah Clearwater was distraught, barely able to eat or sleep if rumors were to be believed. The rumors Izzy mostly heard from Paul with the few sprinkled in from Kim and Clara.

The elders felt partially responsible for not having taken it seriously in the beginning. And Izzy went about her days like nothing happened. Because his disappearance didn't affect her.

It was the talk of the entire rez though, meaning at school she was unable to escape the frenzied rumors of what could have happened to him.

"Some people are saying he ran away. Away from here to chase big city life. Away from the rez. Away from Leah." Clara whispered as she looked around.

Kim shook her head, "I heard he probably got lost out in the woods…"

"Or he fell into the ocean and drowned." Clara frowned as she recounted the recent rumor.

Kim sighed, "Someone said he was involved in some sketchy stuff."

Izzy sat with her chin resting in her palm, not caring where Sam went. She doubted he just ran away though.

"What do you think, Izzy?" Kim asked, eyes hopeful that she would have a better theory than something so gloomy.

Izzy licked her lips, "I don't even know the guy, but would it be surprising if he got lost in those woods? Or even got hurt out there and couldn't make it back?"

Both girls hummed, but still seemed upset over the idea of someone from the rez dying. Not that Izzy blamed them, they were but infants to loss.

She did her best to comfort them, knowing the chances were unlikely for Sam to make it back if he really did get lost in the forest.

Even Paul was talking about it as they sat on their log at the cliff top.

"Do you think he's…dead?" Paul was rather straightforward, but he always had been.

Izzy cocked a brow at him, "It's been two weeks. If he's not dead and he hasn't even called his family then the man doesn't want to be found. It means he wants to be a dead man. A ghost."

"You sound like you know a lot about that…" Paul was looking at her with mock suspicion.

Izzy tittered, "I just like murder mysteries."

Lies. Isolde had lived her entire life becoming ghost after ghost. She knew better than anyone how to disappear like a dead woman. Maybe even stage a death. But she obviously couldn't say that.

Izzy was, for once, truly shocked when Sam Uley reappeared—alive—two days later. Though, that's when someone actually saw him, she had no idea when the man really returned.

He came back even stranger. The man refused to see or even speak to Leah and he was avoiding his own mother like the plague. Some people speculated that he saw some crazy shit in the woods, others said he was hiding after running with the wrong people. Izzy didn't think either of those were it.

The only people who were able to get close to the new recluse were the elders and that alone made Izzy feel uncomfortable.

Something was afoot in La Push.

Exchanging numbers with Paul was a mistake. The boy didn't seem like it but he was a notorious gossip!

Paul (21:47) : I know it's l8 but I still think the Sam thing is weird!

Izzy (21:49) : Paul go 2 bed

Paul (21:50) : U know its strange

Izzy (21:51) : What is strange is ur still awake

Paul (21:52) : Izzy! I'm serious

Izzy (21:52) : Well what's ur theory

Paul (21:55) : idk do u think it could be gang related

Izzy (21:55) : …I'm going 2 bed

Paul (21:57) : No! Izzy! I'm sorry help me

Izzy (21:58) : Well I'm sure it NOT a gang

Paul (21:59) : Ok no gang. what if he saw something terrifying? Like a cold one?

Izzy (00:00) : Sorry Cinderella, ur out of time. I'm going 2 bed

Izzy couldn't get rid of Paul that quickly though. He captured her after school the next day.

"He won't even see Leah. That's weird, Izzy." Paul ranted as he erratically moved his arms around in the air.

Izzy blew a raspberry, "Couples split all the time, Paul."

"Not like this. Those two have been attached at the hip since high school." He argued, looking as if he was seconds away from stomping his foot like a child.

Izzy raised both of eyebrows, "Why do you know all of this anyway? Your friends don't exactly seem like the gossip type…" That was a nice way of putting it.

Paul huffed, "When my dad moved us here I wanted to know about everyone. So I observed. I listened. And now I can't turn it off."

She watched the calm waves lap at the shore, "Why don't you talk about this to your flavor of the week? I'm sure one of those girls would love this juicy gossip."

Paul's cheeks tinged pink, "Um…actually I'm taking your advice. Flying solo for a while. Can't guarantee no fights though."

Izzy snapped her head toward him, "Wow, Paul." A cheesy grin stretched her lips, "I guess one change is better than none…"

His dark eyes twinkled with embarrassment and something else, "Glad to have your support."

"What are friends for?" Izzy didn't see the light dim a bit in his eyes or the internal conflict he fought in himself.

Paul wasn't stupid. He had no chance with someone like Izzy Littlesea. The only reason they could even be this close despite his massive fuck up so early on was because Izzy didn't see Paul as viable option to date.

He could never be more intimate than he was now with her. Arms length away and sometimes it felt like even more than that.

As Izzy nestled into the couch, Maia returned with her ice cream.

She had convinced Izzy to sit and listen to her wild ideas about the Cullen family.

"Don't you think seven is too many?" Maia complained as she stuck the spoon in her mouth.

Izzy nodded, "It's definitely not inconspicuous."

"I feel like it's been insane since we moved here. I don't ever remember it being this exciting when I was a kid." Maia complained as a thoughtful look crossed her face.

"The Cullens didn't live here when I was younger though either…"

Maia frowned as she brought up Sam, "Sue called me in shambles over Leah. The poor girl is having a hard time. Harry told Leah that it'll pass and to give Sam time, but Sue doesn't think her daughter will listen."

"Do not go poking your nose into things, Maia." Izzy pointed at her seriously, "You're already tied in pretty heavily with a Cullen right now. We don't need any extra attention on us."

Because as much as Izzy loved Maia, Isolde was at the core selfish when it came to her life. She'd leave this all behind right this moment if it ensured her own self-preservation.

Maia held her hands up in defense, spoon in mouth as she nodded.

"It's already hard enough sneaking that out in such a small town. I'll have to smuggle some from Seattle at this rate." Izzy complained, sucking that liquid through a straw.

She ran her tongue over her teeth after she swallowed. It was never as good as tasting it from the source itself, but as she tagged along with Maia over the years she had mainly used the blood bags. Only once in a while did she ever enjoy a feast, and even then it was those seedier individuals who were deserving of it.

Over the years, Izzy learned what she needed. She could eat mortal food, but it was barely nutritious. Blood seemed to work wonders for her and the fresher the better. But what was a few decades of forcing down the blood bags as long as she was alongside Maia?

"Anyway, speaking of the Cullens…I'm certain they aren't partaking in human blood." Izzy announced as she pondered over the strange family? Coven?

Maia looked at her, confused, "Then what the hell are they doing?"

"Animals. They have to be drinking from animals. It's possible, though not always satisfying. But I suppose that can depend on the person." Izzy explains.

Maia hums as Izzy declares, "Since we know there's others here we should be more cautious." She claps, "Okay, that's enough of that. Tell me more about Andrew."

"It's Matthew." Maia groans, "You're doing this on purpose."

Izzy just smirks teasingly as she encourages Maia to tell her more about the Seattle guy.

Three girls sat in Kim's room, books scattered and pushed to the side in favor of the more interesting topic.

Sam Uley and Leah Clearwater.

The two were now at the very least, on speaking terms. Or so Paul told Izzy. How he came about the information was unknown to her.

"They're talking but I heard they still haven't seen each other." Kim bit at her nails.

Clara's face pinched, "He hasn't met anyone in person. He's even still avoiding his mom."

"But he's met with the elders…" Kim argued.

Izzy hummed, "Strange indeed."

"It's more than strange. What if it's dangerous?" Clara hissed in slight panic.

Izzy shook her head, seeing Kim looking like she might join Clara any minute, "If it were dangerous I don't think the elders would have allowed him to call Leah."

"She's right, Clara. Besides, we should talk about summer vacation!" Kim cheered, trying to uplift the rather gloomy atmosphere.

Clara's face brightened, "Yes! Maybe you'll even have a boyfriend during it…"

Izzy giggled as Kim flushed a bright red. Despite the efforts of Clara and Izzy, Kim was just too shy to approach Jared. But Izzy hadn't given up hope.

"What about you! Huh, Clara?" Kim questioned, eyes pinning the girl who pouted.

Clara shook her head, "Nuh uh. Have you seen these goons out there? My prince charming is not located here."

"They're not all that bad…" Kim defended the plethora of boys Clara just insulted.

Clara rolled her eyes, "Jared doesn't count. But people like Paul do." Clara gave Izzy a pointed look.

"There's nothing between Paul and I. We're just friends." Izzy huffed.

Kim eyed her with suspicion, "Are you sure he knows that?"

Clara nodded so fast Izzy thought her neck might snap, "Yeah, you should see how he looks at you."

Oh, Izzy knew. But she did enjoy her friendship with Paul. And Paul hadn't been weird. Izzy couldn't help that her looks drew in the mortals like moths to a flame. She had to ensnare her prey somehow and mortals were fickle, easily dazzled by beautiful and shiny things.

"Paul and I understand each other. Besides, he's not my type." Izzy shrugged.

They both watched her before Clara spoke up, "Well, what is your type? Maybe if you got a boyfriend or something it would keep the gnats away."

Kim perked up, "You could always check out Forks too. Sometimes the guys from the school there come here to surf."

"No, thank you." Izzy was quick to reply, wanting to stay as far away from Forks as possible while she was here.

Clara hummed, "There are some cuties there."

"I like my men a bit older." Izzy conceded that information, hoping it would keep them at bay.
All that did was amp the two girls up however as they both spit question after question.

"Does that mean…ya know?" Clara asked, eyes wild.

Izzy chuckled awkwardly, "What are you asking?"

Kim's face bloomed pink, "You've dated an older guy?"

"If you want to call it that." Izzy snorted, forgetting how innocent these poor mortals were.

Clara gasped, completely scandalized, "And-and you slept with him?"

Izzy slept with more than just a him. Izzy devoured men across the world and only a few had ever gotten actual dates out of her. But she couldn't corrupt the girls too much and she certainly couldn't say she had centuries of experience of being a man-eater.

"Yeah." She settled on giving nothing else.

Kim and Clara leaned closer, eyeing her all over before Clara asked, "How was it?"

"Did it–did it hurt?" Kim's voice quivered with her question.

Honestly, it was so long ago Izzy couldn't recall. Though she doubts her experience could even be likened to a mortal's first time.

"It's as good as you make it. And I don't really remember. It happened so fast." Izzy's normal half-truths dripped from her tongue with ease.

The rest of the night the girl's were steered back onto the topic of Sam discreetly by Izzy.

During the following week, Jared Cameron was out with some sickness. But it didn't leave Izzy with a good feeling.

"There's some weird shit happening around here." Paul sighed as he tossed a pebble off the edge of the cliff.

Izzy agreed. Super weird shit. She said as much.

Paul laughed at her answer, before he cleared his throat, "What's your plans for the summer?"

Izzy wasn't sure what her plans were yet, but she knew Maia was itching for a vacation. Or more like itching to just take a step away from all the supernatural shit happening. But Izzy also knew Maia was getting serious with that guy so there was potential she'd do something with him.

"I'm not sure yet. So far the plan is to hang around here. Maybe go to Seattle or something." She mulled over taking a small solo trip, like going back to one of her apartments in Valencia as she hadn't been there in so long.

Paul nodded at the ledge, "We'll have to come cliff diving." He gave her a wicked smirk, "That is, if you're not scared."

Isolde had jumped from higher heights and not landed in water. There was not much she feared other than her secret being exposed and getting hunted down by them.

"If I didn't think you'd die from hyperthermia I'd challenge you right now, Lahote." She said with a mock glare, though the glint of challenge was real.

Paul liked that look in her eyes, it made him feel alive.

A full week and a half passed without sight of Jared Cameron.

Rumor is that he had mono. A rumor Izzy isn't buying. But unless it's about to start impacting her directly, it was none of her business.

Though Kim was affected, seeming a bit downhearted from the lack of Jared staring.

She was walking to Kim's with the two girls when Kim gasped and tripped, eyes glued to something ahead. Both Clara and Izzy helped her rebalance, but followed her gaze only for Clara's mouth to fall open and Izzy to stare.

"Holy shit, is that Jared Cameron?" Clara blinked rapidly, believing she was hallucinating.

Kim still couldn't do anything but stare slack jawed. Izzy was feeling nervous. Mono surely didn't make you sprout into a bear in a week. Jared Cameron got taller. Not just taller though. No he was buff as hell and wearing shorts without a shirt.

Izzy glanced at Kim to make sure the poor girl wasn't drooling as they saw Jared disappear into the thick trees like it was something normal to do.

"Did I hallucinate Jared Cameron without a shirt and a six pack just now?" Kim asked dazedly, blinking as she tried to refocus her eyes.

Clara snorted, "No babe, Jared Cameron is hot. If that's what mono does to you, can I have it next?"

Paul and Izzy were once again on their spot at the cliff top. Paul was munching on licorice when Izzy turned to him, "Have you seen Jared Cameron recently?"

"Not since he's been out with 'mono'." Paul brought his hands up to sarcastically quote 'mono'.

Yeah, Paul didn't believe it either.

"Why?"

Izzy smirked, "He got hot as hell. Like abnormal."

Paul pouted, "Hotter than me?"

"Well considering he suddenly looks like a grown man in his twenties with a six pack, yes." Izzy answered seriously.

Paul's face twisted in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

"Something strange." Izzy muttered, mulling over Jared's abrupt change. The legends were niggling in the back of her mind.

"O—kay. I still have questions but I'll find the answers later. I heard that Sam actually saw Leah. Rumor is that it was tense but they were talking…"

Izzy let Paul continue to yap about the couple (?) if you could even call them that anymore.

She needed to find out more about the legends. It was clear the Cullens were real—not that she doubted vampires were around but more that they weren't feasting on the mortals—and if the Cullens were real then perhaps even the protectors were too.

The issue lay with her not knowing how the protectors would react to her. She doubted it would be friendly, but she wasn't keen on them being a foe either.

She'd have to leave La Push if it seemed they reacted negatively to her presence. But if she could blend in enough with the mortals, they could be neutral. Never knowing she was more than Elizabeth Littlesea, adopted daughter to Maia Littlesea.

Jared Cameron still wasn't at school the following week.

As May crept closer, so did the end of the school year. It was abundantly clear the students were ready for the summer break.

Seniors, like Paul, would be graduating soon and the thought of not seeing Paul everyday made a shimmer of sadness appear in her heart. She didn't want to delve into that and if anything it made a large part of her want the distance even more.

It wouldn't do to get too close to mortals. They aged and died after all. She learned that lesson early in her life so despite blending in and playing human, she never got attached.

Maia was different. Izzy would be sad when the woman eventually passed, but she would move on. And while the heartbreak over losing someone she considered family would be tremendous, she'd heal. She has before.

But Paul was different. Just being around him made her feel at peace. Like they could sit in silence for hours and just bask in each other's presence. It was as if she were getting sucked into his orbit and she could float there forever. And that was dangerous. Because it wasn't the same kind of comfort and peace Maia brought her.

And speaking of Maia, more often than not these days, she was staying over Matthew's. It didn't bother Izzy and Maia obviously knew she wasn't a real teenager in need of help or a parental figure.

In fact, Izzy enjoyed the quiet. It gave her time to plan an escape strategy. Which she felt she needed.

The last thing she ever expected after coming to La Push was to be throwing herself right into the middle of the supernatural. The things she'd tried to stay away from for centuries.

Though, the Cullens intrigued her. A coven (family?) of seven vampires retaining a permanent residence with mortals was nearly unheard of. If she wasn't so afraid of those ones she would have risked trying to meet the strange vampires. But alas, Isolde was, at her core, a coward. It was a risk she simply was not willing to take.